foreign policy

Question 1

Augustan ‘policy’ in the east

Answer 1

avoided waging war against eastern kingdoms, choosing diplomacy. Relied on a system of client kings

Cassius Dio frames the lack of expansion post 20 BC as an active choice from Augustus (55.9) - but take this with his agenda for his contemporary audience as a non-imperialist

Armenian: installs Pro-Roman Tigranes to the throne, he had lived in Rome. Framed this non-military policy as a military victory to the roman people (coinage with Armenia Capta, like the Egypto Capta coins)

Parthia: diplomatic resolution in 20 BC (Caesar made plans for campaign before his death which didn’t happen) - Parthians returned Roman standards

Question 2

Augustus ‘policy’ in the west

Answer 2

aggressively imperialistic in Germany, wanted to conquer the land between the Rhine and Elbe, eliminating the independent powers between the two in order to establish a province - imperialistic subjugation of Germany OR consolidation of boundaries to prevent germanic tribes from continuing frequent offensives across the Rhine